By accessing or using shouldiboat.com ("the Service"), you agree to these Terms of Use. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.
shouldiboat.com aggregates publicly available weather and marine data into a GO / CAUTION / NO-GO guide for recreational boating on the Great Lakes. It is a planning aid, not an official forecast or a safety device. Conditions on the water change rapidly and can differ from any forecast. Always consult the official National Weather Service marine forecasts, carry proper safety equipment, wear your life jacket, file a float plan, and exercise your own judgment. You are solely responsible for your safety and decisions on the water.
The Service and all data are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or fitness for a particular purpose. Data comes from third parties (NOAA/NWS, NDBC, Windy, webcam providers) and we do not control or guarantee it.
Some features require an account. You agree to provide accurate information, keep your credentials confidential, and are responsible for activity under your account. You may delete your account at any time.
We offer an optional paid subscription (e.g., an ad-free experience at $2.99/month). Payments are processed by our payment provider (Stripe); we do not store your full card details. Paid plans renew automatically until cancelled, and each payment covers the billing period ahead of it.
Cancellation and refunds. You can cancel anytime. Cancellation stops future renewals; it does not end your current period early. You keep paid access through the end of the billing period you have already paid for, after which the plan does not renew and your account reverts to the free tier. Except where required by law, all payments are non-refundable and we do not provide partial or pro-rated refunds for unused time. If you delete your account while subscribed, your subscription is cancelled and future billing stops; the current period is not refunded. Prices may change with notice.
The Service embeds third-party content — the Windy weather-map widget, YouTube live streams (via the official YouTube player), and webcam players from providers such as Angelcam, IPCamLive, Ozolio and WetMet — and links to third-party sites. Embedded content streams directly from each provider's own servers and players; we do not host, copy, record, or alter it. It remains the property of its owners and is governed by their own terms and privacy policies (YouTube embeds are subject to the YouTube Terms of Service). Webcam feeds are credited to their source and link back to the original. We are not responsible for third-party content or availability.
Content owners: if you operate a webcam or other feed shown on the Service and would like it credited differently or removed, email hello@shouldiboat.com and we will act promptly.
The free tier is supported by advertising (Google AdSense); ads are labeled. Some gear links may be affiliate links (e.g., Amazon Associates) — as an affiliate, shouldiboat.com may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links are marked and open on the merchant's site under the merchant's terms.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, shouldiboat.com and its operator shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss, injury, or damage arising from your use of (or inability to use) the Service or reliance on its data.
We may suspend or terminate access for any violation of these terms. We may update these terms; continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.
These terms, and any dispute arising out of or relating to the Service, are governed by the laws of the State of Ohio and applicable U.S. federal law, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. You agree that the state and federal courts located in Ohio have exclusive jurisdiction over any such dispute, and you consent to personal jurisdiction and venue there. If you are a consumer in a jurisdiction whose mandatory laws grant you additional protections (for example, the EEA or UK), nothing in this section takes those away.
Questions: hello@shouldiboat.com.
shouldiboat.com is the data controller for personal data described here. Contact: hello@shouldiboat.com.
We use Google Analytics and Google AdSense, which set cookies. As a third-party vendor, Google uses cookies (including the DoubleClick cookie) to serve ads on this site based on your prior visits to this and other websites. Third-party vendors and ad networks may likewise use cookies to serve and measure ads. We use Google Consent Mode: until you accept via the cookie banner, ad and analytics cookie permissions stay denied and at most limited, non-personalized ads are shown without cookies. You can change your choice anytime via "Cookie settings" in the footer. See the Cookie Policy. You can opt out of personalized advertising at Google Ads Settings, or opt out of third-party vendor cookies at aboutads.info.
Pages embed content that streams directly from third parties: the Windy weather map, live webcam players (Angelcam, IPCamLive, Ozolio, WetMet, and refreshing snapshot images), and YouTube live streams. When an embed loads, that provider receives your IP address and standard request data and may set its own cookies, under its own privacy policy.
The live-cam player uses YouTube API Services. By using it you also agree to the YouTube Terms of Service; the Google Privacy Policy describes how YouTube handles that data. We do not receive personal data from the YouTube player beyond whether a stream is playing.
We do not sell your personal information for money. However, the use of advertising/analytics cookies may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of personal information under California law (CPRA). You can opt out — see "Your California rights" below and the cookie banner. Service providers (Cloudflare for hosting, Stripe for payments, Google for ads/analytics/sign-in, Brevo for email delivery) process data on our behalf under their own policies.
You have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to processing of your personal data, to data portability, and to withdraw consent at any time. You may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. To exercise these, email hello@shouldiboat.com.
California residents have the right to know, access, correct, and delete personal information, to opt out of the sale/sharing of personal information, and to non-discrimination for exercising these rights. To opt out, use the cookie banner's "Reject" / "Do Not Sell or Share" control, or email hello@shouldiboat.com.
Account data is kept while your account is active and deleted on request. Session data expires automatically. Analytics/ad data is retained per the providers' policies.
Data may be processed on Cloudflare's global network and by US-based providers. Where required, transfers rely on appropriate safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses).
The Service is not directed to children under 16 and we do not knowingly collect their personal data.
Data is transmitted over HTTPS; passwords are hashed; payment card data is handled by Stripe. No system is perfectly secure. We may update this policy; the date above reflects the latest version.
Cookies are small files stored on your device. We (and our partners) use them as follows:
Required for the site to function: your session cookie when signed in, and your consent choice. Your spot/theme preferences are stored in your browser's local storage and never sent to us. These do not require consent.
Google Analytics helps us understand usage (pages viewed, general location, device). Analytics cookies are set only after you accept via the cookie banner.
Google AdSense may set cookies to serve and measure ads, including personalized ads where permitted. We use Google Consent Mode v2: until you accept, ad-cookie permissions stay denied and at most limited, non-personalized ads are shown without cookies. Accepting enables ad cookies; rejecting (or "Cookie settings" → Reject) keeps or turns them back off.
Live webcam players (YouTube, Angelcam, IPCamLive, Ozolio, WetMet) and the Windy weather map stream directly from those providers. When one loads, the provider receives your IP address and may set its own cookies under its own policy — for example, YouTube sets cookies when you play a live cam. If you don't want this, don't play the embedded feeds and use the "Open this cam ↗" links instead.
Use the cookie banner to accept or reject non-essential cookies (reopen it via "Cookie settings" in the footer). You can also block cookies in your browser settings and manage ad personalization at Google Ads Settings.